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Tuesday, June 11
Is William Green the every-down back the Browns have been searching for? Look at the moves coach Butch Davis has made on the offensive line this spring, in his attempt to field a blocking unit that averages 315-320 pounds, and you quickly comprehend exactly what he wants his offense to become in 2002. There seems little doubt that the Browns will pound the football on the ground with Green. Even though the former Boston College star didn't run good 40-yard times at the combine workouts, or in his campus auditions for scouts, it was obvious he was the premier tailback in the 2002 draft.
His couple off-field indiscretions aside, Green is a dependable runner who wants the ball, and who gets better in the fourth quarter. While he lacks true top-end stopwatch speed, Green is quick in subtle ways and has the great vision that most elite backs possess. Davis will provide him plenty of carries in the latest attempt to take some of the heat off quarterback Tim Couch.
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After 10 games, the Browns stood at 6-4 and a trip to the playoffs wasn't completely out of the question. However, four straight losses ended any playoff talk and the Browns limped home with a 7-9 record.
On offense, the offseason objective was plainly clear. Improve the running attack. The Browns would like to be able to employ more of a power-running attack, which would take a tremendous amount of pressure off Tim Couch. Cleveland has ranked last in the NFL in total offense each of the last two seasons, ranking No. 30 in rushing in 2000 and No. 31 in 2001.
The biggest move the Browns made in an effort to boost their ground game was drafting William Green from Boston College in the first round. Green is a workhorse back, who was extremely productive in college and will be an immediate upgrade over the running backs Cleveland has used the last three seasons.
The Browns also made plenty of moves on the offensive line, signing tackle Ryan Tucker (Rams) and offensive guard Barry Stokes (Packers). Both will step right into the starting lineup. Offensive guard Tre' Johnson was re-signed after missing the final 13 games of last season with a torn right quadriceps. Re-signing Johnson is a bit of a risk, but if he's healthy he'll provide a boost to the rushing attack.
While the offense was the focus of much of Cleveland's work over the offseason, the Browns also addressed some needs on defense. Middle linebacker Earl Holmes (Steelers) and safety Robert Griffith (Vikings) were the prizes of Cleveland's crop of free-agent signees. Holmes, who led the Steelers in tackles last season with 118, and Griffith step right into the middle of Cleveland's defense. One area that Holmes and Griffith will immediately upgrade is Cleveland's run defense, which ranked No. 29 overall in the NFL last season.
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BROWNS AT A GLANCE
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Tim Couch threw 17
TDs last season. |
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2001 record: 7-9
Team rank: Defense (22nd); offense (31st)
Browns team news |
While the Browns were active in terms of player movement, the biggest offseason news was generated in the front office, where director of football operations Dwight Clark resigned. Clark, along with Carmen Policy, was part of the original front office team that came to Cleveland to rebuild the Browns when they re-entered the league in 1999. However, the hiring of Butch Davis following the 2000 season marked the beginning of the end for Clark in Cleveland.
Davis took over control of basically the entire organization, including making the personnel decisions. The former Miami (Fla.) head coach also brought in Pete Garcia from Miami, essentially giving him many of the responsibilities that Clark used to have. In practical terms, the move doesn't mean much. However, what it does mean is that the Browns are now completely Davis' team as he enters his second year as head coach.
For a complete list of all the players Cleveland has signed and lost so far this offseason, click here.
How they drafted
After plenty of smokescreens, the Browns used their first-round pick on Green. Pre-draft speculation had the Browns enamored with Michigan State running back T.J. Duckett, but Green was obviously the guy they wanted all along. Green, whose stock dropped some because of slow 40 times, immediately becomes the starter and the best running back the Browns have had since they came back in to the league in 1999. Off-field problems make Green a bit of a risk, but based on talent, the Browns got the best running back in the draft. The Browns used their second-round pick on wide receiver Andre Davis from Virginia Tech, who, according to reports, has been extremely impressive in minicamps.
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Fantasy Focus
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Although second-year pro James Jackson is listed first on the depth chart, expect him to lose his spot to first-round pick William Green before the season opener. Jackson averaged just 2.8 yards last season and struggled with injuries. While Jackson appeared tentative and ran poorly inside the tackles last season, Green is a power runner who can break the long gains. To his credit, Jackson added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, but Green is a durable gamebreaker. Consider drafting him before injury-prone veterans Terrell Davis and Jerome Bettis. Click here for more fantasy football news.
-- Roger Rotter, Fantasy editor
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For a complete list of Cleveland's draft picks, click here.
Unfinished business
Jamir Miller's sticky relationship with the Browns should be closely watched. Miller, who had a career-high 13 sacks last season and made the Pro Bowl, is looking for a contract extension that would include a singing bonus somewhere north of $10 million. Also, there were numerous reports that had the Browns trying to trade Miller before the draft. While it is not a big issue yet, the further into the summer Miller's discontent lasts, the more likely a training camp holdout becomes. While the return of Brown to the lineup will help the pass rush, the Browns don't have anyone ready to step in for Miller. One player who could be performing for his job over the next few months is wide receiver Dennis Northcutt. A second-round choice in the 2000 draft, Northcutt has been a disappointment in his two NFL seasons. The Browns drafted receivers in each of the last two draft -- Davis and Quincy Morgan -- and Northcutt's time in Cleveland could be running short.
Outlook for 2002
Even with the addition of Green, Cleveland might still be a weapon or two away on offense. Kevin Johnson is a solid wide receiver, but it's unclear if he'll ever be a legitimate No. 1. The rest of the receivers are still inexperienced and could need another year before they blossom into legitimate threats for Couch. A 9-7 season isn't out of the question for a Browns team that is probably one year away from being a legitimate playoff threat.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
